Ladakh Statehood Demands: Ladakh Completely Closed People Took To The Streets In -20° Demanding Statehood
Demand for Ladakh Statehood Sparks Protests
Thousands have taken to the streets in Ladakh, the centrally administered region separated from Jammu and Kashmir, once again demanding full statehood. On Saturday (February 3rd), a massive march unfolded, with people advocating for statehood and constitutional protection under the sixth schedule for the centrally administered region. The entire Ladakh region came to a standstill, as Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance jointly organized the protest.
In Ladakh, a region known for its tranquility, it’s quite surprising to see people hitting the streets in such large numbers. However, the protesters aren’t just demonstrating for the sake of it; they have a specific demand. The people of Ladakh are insisting on granting the status of a full-fledged state to the centrally administered region. It’s worth noting that Ladakh was designated as a centrally administered region on August 5, 2019, separating it from Jammu and Kashmir.
The demonstrations in Ladakh have led to widespread closures of businesses, impacting the livelihoods of many. The protest is spearheaded by Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA). The resolve of the protesters, braving the biting cold, signifies the intensity of their cause. Now, let’s delve into the real reasons behind the ongoing protests in Ladakh.
What are the demands of protesters?
When Article 370 and 35A were revoked from Jammu and Kashmir on August 5, 2019, the state was bifurcated into two Union Territories. Jammu and Kashmir remained a Union Territory with a legislative assembly, while Ladakh became a Union Territory without a legislative assembly. Initially, there was relatively little opposition in Ladakh to being made a Union Territory, but slowly the voices of dissent became louder, as seen in recent protests.
In essence, the people of Ladakh are expressing a desire for full statehood. They are troubled by the lack of bureaucracy and have demanded the opportunity to elect their representatives. This can only happen when the region attains full statehood. The political parties, BJP and Congress, represent the two regions of Ladakh and are currently leading protests by gathering people together. They came together in August 2021 to amplify the voice of opposition.
The main demands of the protesters in Ladakh include making the Union Territory a full-fledged state, implementing the sixth schedule of the Constitution, and establishing separate parliamentary seats for Leh and Kargil districts. The provision under the sixth schedule allows for the creation of autonomous districts in tribal areas. Ladakh is home to various indigenous communities, hence these demands are gaining even more prominence
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Despite the assurances from the central government, protests against it
Even before this, there was an announcement of protests against the demand to grant Union Territory status to Ladakh. However, before that, the central government has declared that a second round of talks will be held with representatives of the Leh Apex Body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance. Despite this, people took to the streets and staged protests, observing a shutdown in the region. The central government has already formed a high-level committee under the chairmanship of Union Minister of State (Home Affairs) Nityanand Rai to consider the demands of the people of Ladakh.
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